Bhutan

A 14-day adventure by Orion Global Nomads Read more

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Trip start
December 21, 2017
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Day 1
Thursday, December 21, 2017
🌫 21 °C
Altitude: 764 ft
India Mahipalpur Extension 28.552452, 77.12226828°33’9” N 77°7’20” E
Beginning the Craig's Retirement Trip
December 21, 2017 in India ⋅ 🌫 21 °C
EWR United Lounge with Craig
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Day 1
Thursday, December 21, 2017
🌫 21 °C
Altitude: 764 ft
India Mahipalpur Extension 28.552524, 77.12212228°33’9” N 77°7’20” E
Getting settled in - United Flight
December 21, 2017 in India ⋅ 🌫 21 °C
Craig getting ready for our 14 hr flight to New Delhi, India
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Day 2
Friday, December 22, 2017 at 11:00 PM
🌫 14 °C
Altitude: 764 ft
India Mahipalpur Extension 28.552521, 77.12213728°33’9” N 77°7’20” E
Congratulatory Retirment Toast
December 22, 2017 in India ⋅ 🌫 14 °C
New Delhi, India JW Marriott - outdoor bar
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Day 2
Friday, December 22, 2017
🌫 21 °C
Altitude: 787 ft
India Pālam 28.587801, 77.078428°35’16” N 77°4’42” E
First Stop - New Delhi, India
December 22, 2017 in India ⋅ 🌫 21 °C
Spent the first night on the beginning leg of Craig’s Retirement trip!
TravelerCraig lounging at the JW Marriot
12/22/17Reply
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Day 3
Saturday, December 23, 2017 at 7:18 PM
Altitude: 8,376 ft
Bhutan Drugyel Dzong 27.497308, 89.3218727°29’50” N 89°19’19” E
Making Traditional Prayer Flags
December 23, 2017 in Bhutan
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Day 3
Saturday, December 23, 2017
☀️ 13 °C
Altitude: 8,340 ft
Bhutan Drugyel Dzong 27.497467, 89.32236727°29’51” N 89°19’21” E
First day in Bhutan
December 23, 2017 in Bhutan ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C
First stop- Paro Amazing views and lodge at the Amankora
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Day 4
Sunday, December 24, 2017 at 6:15 AM
🌙 -1 °C
Altitude: 7,293 ft
Bhutan Paro Airport 27.405825, 89.42124927°24’21” N 89°25’16” E
Arriving in Bumthang
December 24, 2017 in Bhutan ⋅ 🌙 -1 °C
After our flight from Paro, we saw the glorious Himalayas with snow capped peaks and arrived in Bumthang with crystal clear blue skies.
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Day 4
Sunday, December 24, 2017 at 7:00 AM
🌙 17 °C
Altitude: 8,474 ft
Bhutan Bathpalathang Airport 27.556528, 90.74713927°33’24” N 90°44’50” E
Amazing Bumthang
December 24, 2017 in Bhutan ⋅ 🌙 17 °C
Checked into Amankora Bumthang after an early flight with majestic views of the Himalayan mountains.
TravelerThis should be Craig’s new profile pic!
1/2/18Reply
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Day 4
Sunday, December 24, 2017 at 10:58 AM
☀️ 9 °C
Altitude: 8,428 ft
Bhutan Drugyel Dzong 27.5035, 89.322427°30’13” N 89°19’21” E
Christmas Eve in Bhutan
December 24, 2017 in Bhutan ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C
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Day 4
Sunday, December 24, 2017 at 12:00 PM
☀️ 13 °C
Altitude: 8,376 ft
Bhutan Drugyel Dzong 27.497166, 89.32184627°29’50” N 89°19’19” E
Christmas Eve 2017
December 24, 2017 in Bhutan ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C
Every Christmas with Craig has been special. This Christmas has been amazing. It started with a nice breakfast followed by a hike to Burning Lake and a walk to a local nunnery.
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Day 9
Friday, December 29, 2017 at 9:00 AM
☀️ 5 °C
Altitude: 4,242 ft
Bhutan Bumtaka 27.623953, 89.83565127°37’26” N 89°50’8” E
1
Departing Gangtey to Punakha
December 29, 2017 in Bhutan ⋅ ☀️ 5 °C
Craig and I had an amazing time in Gangtey. The valley was magical, scenic trails, and the regal Black Necked Cranes. We had our breakfast and got in our SUV for Punakha. The roads were more complete for this leg. Fridays are “Zero Tolerance” days where police would stop Citizens and check for proper government IDs.Read more
TravelerJust leaving Gangtey we spotted 3 Black Necked Cranes near the road! Craig got out of the car to take some nice pictures.
12/29/17Reply
TravelerTwenty minutes out from the lodge after a climbing the range some - we were greeted by Yaks!
12/29/17Reply
Traveler We were told not to get to close to the Yaks - they are dangerous.
12/29/17Reply
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Day 9
Friday, December 29, 2017 at 12:00 PM
☀️ 19 °C
Altitude: 4,242 ft
Bhutan Bumtaka 27.623955, 89.8356727°37’26” N 89°50’8” E
Lunch in Punakha
December 29, 2017 in Bhutan ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
After arriving at the lodge we had lunch. I had an amazing yellow tail sashimi with fermented lychee! yum! Craig had a nice pizza with seasonal ingredients. After lunch we prepared for our 1st hike of the valley.Read more
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Day 9
Friday, December 29, 2017 at 3:00 PM
☀️ 25 °C
Altitude: 4,249 ft
Bhutan Bumtaka 27.62392, 89.83572627°37’26” N 89°50’9” E
Khamsum Chorten Hike
December 29, 2017 in Bhutan ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Immediately after lunch, Craig and I gathered our gear, took a 20min car ride to a suspension bridge at the base of this hike. The bridge area was the rafting starting point. After crossing the bridge, we approached terraced rice fields where farmers were planting cucumbers during this time of year. Poinsettias lined some of the trails After 40 mind, we reached the top and the temple while new, built in 1999 was spectacular. The theme inside were buddhist wraths, intricate statues, and wall paintings offered a story and understanding of wraths as noted by our tour guide. The views outside were incredible as the sunlight danced and skipped over the range.Read more
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Day 10
Saturday, December 30, 2017 at 9:00 AM
⛅ -1 °C
Altitude: 8,563 ft
Bhutan Tashi Chho Dzong 27.478834, 89.61191627°28’44” N 89°36’43” E
Day of the bike ride
December 30, 2017 in Bhutan ⋅ ⛅ -1 °C
It was bright sunny morning. After breakfast we visited the local Market. Bustling with locals and nomads buying and trading goods. Following the market we went to the momentary down the road where we blessed by the abbot of the temple. We then proceeded to the Fertility temple and saw many stores and structures with phallus painted and even sold as statues. The Fertility temple was built in honor of the Divine Madman - and amazing story. At the Fertility monastery we toured the inside and told of the tale of the Divine Madman who trapped demon on the grounds under a Stupa. After lunch we went on a Bike ride along the river to the market and returned to lodge exhausted!Read more
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Day 11
Sunday, December 31, 2017 at 9:00 AM
☀️ -3 °C
Altitude: 5,801 ft
Bhutan Bumtaka 27.625995, 89.84998327°37’34” N 89°50’60” E
New Year's Eve!
December 31, 2017 in Bhutan ⋅ ☀️ -3 °C
After breakfast we started our hike up to Cat’s Ridge. It wasn’t easy as some of the climbs were very steep. After an hourlong ur we reached the top and there was an old local temple. The caretaker greeted us and gave us a tour and even blessed us. His family was so kind and gave us white sweet potatoes they harvested. In exchange we gave them our snacks and candy to the children. We proceeded down the ridge and was given amazing views of the valley. The trail landed at the back of the Dzong where our driver picked us up and took us back to the lodge for lunch. After lunch we toured the most amazing Dzong in Bhutan. Expansive and great artistry was all around. Before News year dinner we had watched local performers dance by two fire pits. New Year’s eve dinner was great as spent it with a gay British couple.Read more
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Day 12
Monday, January 1, 2018 at 9:00 AM
⛅ -7 °C
Altitude: 10,210 ft
Bhutan Nahi 27.49037, 89.75026727°29’25” N 89°45’1” E
Enroute to Thimphu and our first day
January 1, 2018 in Bhutan ⋅ ⛅ -7 °C
It was sad to leave Punakha. We headed onto the highway for a 3 hour ride that took us a spectacular pass - many snow capped mountains were in sight. We then arrived in Thimphu and had lunch followed by a tour of the main shopping district. We purchased a few items for home. We saw the traffic officer direct traffic and was told they put a traffic light there but this was met by many disappointed residents. Craig participated in the cultural lecture on. Buddhism and I rested.Read more
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Day 13
Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at 9:02 AM
☀️ -3 °C
Altitude: 8,609 ft
Bhutan Tashi Chho Dzong 27.478827, 89.61148127°28’44” N 89°36’41” E
Our 2nd day in Thimpu
January 2, 2018 in Bhutan ⋅ ☀️ -3 °C
We had breakfast at our usual time. Followed by a group of schools children singing a traditional song to welcome the new year and the winter solstice. Craig and I then proceeded to a nice hike up the ridge by the broadcast antenna that led to a temple being renovated and a group of locals playing this traditional outdoor darts. The ridge had spectacular view views of the valley and the Dzong. We had lunch and and went to a traditional art and weaving studio where we purchased a few items.Read more
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Day 14
Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at 8:47 AM
☀️ -4 °C
Altitude: 8,543 ft
Bhutan Tashi Chho Dzong 27.478721, 89.6119827°28’43” N 89°36’43” E
Last day in Thimphu
January 3, 2018 in Bhutan ⋅ ☀️ -4 °C
Having a leisurely breakfast. We packed early this morning and will be going on a short hike.
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Day 14
Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at 10:11 AM
☀️ 1 °C
Altitude: 8,638 ft
Bhutan Babesa 27.443842, 89.64688927°26’38” N 89°38’49” E
The Buddha that looks over Thimphu
January 3, 2018 in Bhutan ⋅ ☀️ 1 °C
After a short drive we were welcomed by many steep steps that led to the largest Buddha in the world! Project started in 2007 and they are almost complete. This site has glorious views of the valley and city from every angle. After leaving the temple we went on an hour hike down the ridge with magnificent views. We are now having our last lunch at the Thimphu lodge.Read more
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Day 14
Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at 4:07 PM
⛅ 11 °C
Altitude: 8,461 ft
Bhutan Drugyel Dzong 27.503483, 89.32235827°30’13” N 89°19’20” E
Back in Paro
January 3, 2018 in Bhutan ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
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Trip end
January 3, 2018